360° Coverage: Napoli beat Bologna to top Serie A

Napoli beat Bologna to top Serie A

Rome, Aug 26 (IANS) Napoli dispatched Bologna 3-0 at home to go top of Italian Serie A football on goal difference.

Aug 26 2013, 5:06am CDT | by IANS

Photo Credit: Claudio Villa, Getty Images

Rome, Aug 26 — Napoli dispatched Bologna 3-0 at home to go top of ItalianSerie A football on goal difference.

Last season's runners-up staked their claim to the Scudetto with an impressive display at the Stadio San Paolo Sunday, when Marek Hamsik turned out to be the hero, reports Xinhua.

The Slovakia international, after Jose Callejon had put Rafael Benitez's side ahead in the 32nd minute, doubled their lead at the injury time of the first half. He then sealed the win with another goal in the 65th minute.

Inter, under the guidance of former Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri, also drew the first blood of the new season with a 2-0 win over Genoa at home.

Mazzarri said the win could help his side "exorcise the psychosis" of last season.

"These lads had not won at home for many months and suffered so many defeats here last year, so they needed this win to exorcise the psychosis," he said.

"I tried to reassure the squad, as I knew Genoa would sit and wait for us. I am happy for the lads, also for their first half performance. The substitutions were studied and planned, it all went the way we thought it would," he said.

Torino beat newly-promoted Sassuolo 2-0 at home, with goals either side of the break from Matteo Brighi and Alessio Cerci proving the difference.

Roma also ran out 2-0 winners as two goals in as many minutes midway through the second half from Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Florenzi handed them victory away at Livorno.